Acts of Mercy: A Stepbrother Romance (Men of WRATH Book 5)

Shame washes over me as I walk down the hall and toward the kitchen. Not because I’m ashamed of being with Hudson, but because of what James walked into.

I could’ve been with one of my classmates and I’d still feel the same embarrassment. No girl wants to get caught by their parental figure, about to get their nasty on.

A full body shiver hits me, and I wrap my arms protectively around myself.

“You cold, Little Red?” Hudson’s eyes narrow, those steely gray analyzing my change in demeanor.

“A little.” I lie, causing Hudson to raise a brow. He’s really perceptive, and I wouldn’t put it past him to call me on my bullshit.

“Good thing we’re having breakfast outdoors. The sun will warm you up.” James’ stern voice comes booming from behind us and I’m reminded once again that we’re not alone.

“Right.” Making a turn toward the French doors, I exit through the kitchen which smells of French toast and coffee. My favorites.

“Alyssa!” Mom raises from her seat and rushes toward me, embracing me in a hug and catching me off guard. Whatever she has in store for me has her excited. “Come sit, so I can tell you about your birthday surprise.”

As I sit for breakfast, James slides me an envelope. “That’s the first part of your present. Happy birthday, princess.” His smile is warm, mirth dancing behind his eyes.

“Thank you.” I slide my finger under the flap, opening the envelope and pulling out a check, practically choking on air as I take in the amount written across the piece of paper. “James… Mom. This isn’t necessary.”

“Nonsense, sweetheart. Your father and I wanted you to have a little something to put toward starting your own practice. I know that’s something you’ve always wanted to do.”

My eyes feel like they’re bugging out their sockets. Maybe she had been paying attention to me all these years. Still, I could never accept this. I wasn’t some trust fund baby and my daddy always taught me we had to work hard for the things we wanted in life. Taking it like this just felt… wrong.

“He’s not her daddy,” Hudson grumbles into his coffee.

James presses his lips into a thin line, his nostrils flaring as he suppresses a response.

“Thank you, James, but I can’t accept this.” I slide the envelope back to him, seeing the hurt I’ve caused spread across his face.

“Alyssa, if you don’t take the check, I’ll simply wire it into your account.” He attempts a smile, though I can still see the hurt in his eyes. “Please, take it.”

Knowing how stubborn and controlling this man can be, I give him a curt nod. “Fine. But there will be conditions.”

He and my mother both give me a full-on grin. “Of course. Whatever you say, dear.” He pats my hand like he’s placating a child.

“I’m serious. I’ll be treating this as a loan, and I intend on paying you back every single cent.”

Hudson, who’s sitting next to me, reaches under the table—his hand squeezing my thigh.

Unable to hide my reaction, my eyes widen and James catches the shift in my expression—his eyes narrowing before cutting to Hudson and glaring.

Needing to diffuse the situation fast, I act like the excited birthday girl I’m supposed to be. “So, that was an amazing first present. I can’t wait to hear what the second one is!”

Mother claps her hands together, a wide grin gracing her lips. “Oh, Alyssa! We’re throwing you a party! I spoke with Cassie yesterday and she was able to gather everything. That woman is amazing. Not only is she a fashion icon, she also has party coordinating skills to rival the best planner.” She’s waving her hands frantically, completely oblivious to the fact that all emotion has drained from my body. “I also took the liberty of going through your emails to invite some friends from school, as well as some eligible bachelors suggested by my friends in the local women’s league. I assure you, they all come from outstanding families and all have very bright futures.”

I feel Hudson tense beside me, his hand gripping my thigh so hard I’m sure it will leave bruises.

“Mom…” I try to school my horror, not wanting to hurt her feelings. “When is this party?”

“Tonight! I’m telling you, Cassie is a miracle worker.”

For the second time this morning, I’m choking on air. Reminder to self, kill Cassie. “Thank you for going through all of that effort, but I don’t appreciate you going through my emails.”

“Don’t be silly, Alyssa. How could I throw you a party without doing so?” She looks at me as if I’m the one who’s lost her mind.

I close my eyes, taking in a deep breath and counting to ten before I lose what little cool I have. “I hate birthday parties, Mom. You know that.”

The last party I had was the year after my dad left. After that fiasco, Mom and I had an understanding. No more parties. Ever.

Her face softens. “I know, darling. But this is different. It’s a big milestone, and since I know that you’d definitely be against a debutante ball, this is my way of breaking you into society.”

I shudder, thankful that she at least recognizes I don’t want to be paraded in some princess dress, playing a role I definitely don’t fit into.

This may be her world, but it’s the farthest thing from mine and the one I want to live.

James cuts into my mental turmoil, my indecision eating away at the happiness I had just moments ago. “Princess, it’s for your own good. Having fun with people your own age,” his eyes flit to Hudson, then back to me, “is a good way to network. Help secure a future long after your mother and I are back in California. There’s only so much we can do from three thousand miles away.”

“It’s just one party, Alyssa.” Mom looks at me with pleading eyes, hoping I’ll agree.

“Will Cassie or any of the other girls be here?” I look at Hudson, seeing him shake his head in response.

“Your guess is as good as mine. This is as much a surprise to me as it is to you.” He takes out his phone with his free hand, the other still holding on to my thigh in a possessive grip. “Give me a moment, and I’ll find out.”

“I don’t know about the other girls, but Cassie was invited.” My mother speaks up before taking a sip from her coffee.

Hudson’s phone vibrates, making my eyes flick back to his. “Cassie and Ashley will be here, but Charlotte is still recovering, and Bella is out of pocket with William.”

My hand finds his under the table. “As she should be. It’s her honeymoon.” I smirk at him, trying to convey my cheeky jealousy. My thoughts flit to Charlotte and the injury she sustained. With brows furrowed, I look toward my mom. “Shouldn’t we be checking on Charlotte instead of throwing a party?”

Hudson chuckles, placing his phone in front of me, the screen clearly displaying the group message between the men of WRATH.

AIDEN: Charlotte says to not let her use her injury as an excuse. She’s not beyond showing up to the party, all bandaged up if she threatens to cancel.

“Well, damn. I guess this party is happening.” I grumble as my mother claps while James continues to glare at Hudson and the arm that is clearly coming under the table at an angle.

Blowing out a breath, I come to terms with the fact that this is going to be one hell of a birthday party.

As if the situation weren’t awkward enough, Mom had to make it a pool party. I don’t even know most of the people she’s invited, but knowing her, there will be guys.

Guys that will make Hudson’s possessive behavior around me very obvious.

Grumbling to myself, I decide to throw on my coverup for good measure. Sure, it’s sheer, but it’s better than nothing, and going out in a summer dress will make for awkward removal should I want to go in the pool.

With a last minute glance in the mirror, I’m heading out of my room only to bump into Cassie.

She’s wearing a chic black one piece with a plunging neckline and halter tie—the fabulous suit paired with a cheetah print kimono and a glass of water in her hand. Interesting.

“Howdy, neighbor.” She beams up at me, mischief dancing in her eyes.

“Don’t you ‘howdy’ me,” I grit out, though with not much inflection. “It hasn’t escaped me you helped my mom plan this shindig. I’ll give you somewhat of a pass because you don’t really know all of my quarks, but I freaking hate birthday parties.”

She giggles, grabbing me by the waist as we walk side by side out to the pool area. “Oh no, there’s no way I’d pass up front row seats to you and Hudson tonight. The way he was hanging on to you at the wedding, you’d have thought he had already claimed you in front of his dad.”

I stop dead in my tracks, jaw practically hitting the floor. “What are you talking about?”

She gives me side-eye, the corner of her mouth tilting up in a smirk. “Girl, you’d have to have been blind to miss the way he was watching you like a hawk all night. And then after his ex showed up and pulled that little stunt, he couldn’t keep his hands off you. Only reason he stopped was because of the drama with Charlotte and Aiden.” She rolls in her lips, biting back a full grin. “Hell, I thought your dad’s head was going to explode when he was practically fondling your ass in front of Julie.”

My eyes widen. “First of all, James is not my dad. He’s my stepdad. Second of all, he was so not fondling my ass. I’d think I would’ve remembered that.”

She tugs on my hand, dragging me out to the party, “Whatever you say, doll. Whatever you say.”

I’m at a loss for words as we step outside and into the event that’s in full swing. “Cassie.”

“I know. Not bad for only a day’s notice, right?” She does a little curtsey as I take the scene in.

It’s early evening with the sun setting, creating the most beautiful glow of orange and pink in the sky. Torches line the pathways with votives placed throughout the bar height tables surrounding the pool.

And oh my god, the pool. “Are those rose petals and candles?”

Cassie snorts. “Girl, I wouldn’t put candles in the pool knowing people would get in. But yes, those are rose petals and the floating votives are battery powered and waterproof. Still, they add to the whole romantic ambiance.” She walks us over to the bar. “Two virgin margaritas, please. The birthday girl is partying in front of her parents.”

I cringe at the fact that she keeps referring to Hudson’s dad as my parent. Which, in a way, I guess he is. I’m so caught up in the embarrassment that I almost miss her non-alcoholic drink. “Excuse me… Is there something you’re not telling me?” I motion toward the water and then the bartender mixing up our drinks.

Cassie purses her lips, pushing them to the side before answering. “Look, don’t say anything. I haven’t even told Bella, let alone Ren. She’d die if she knew she wasn’t the first to get the news.”

I motion sealing my lips and throwing away an imaginary key. “Mums, the word. Get it? Mums?” I laugh so hard I don’t hear my mom approaching.

“There you are, darling.” Mom smiles at Cassie before reaching out for my hand and pulling me toward her. For a moment I’m thrown. Her public display of affection catching me off guard.

“Where else would I be? I wouldn’t dream of going anywhere after you went through all this trouble to throw me a party.” I try to hide the sarcasm in my tone, but based on Cassie’s raised brow, I’m guessing I did a poor job of it.

Mother tsks. “If Cassie and I hadn’t thrown you this party, then Michael here wouldn’t have had the opportunity to talk to you outside of school.” She ushers the lanky six-foot-something guy from behind her. How the hell had I missed him?

Leave it to my mom to suck up all of my attention to the point where I’d miss noticing someone who I’d been desperately trying to avoid.

To my surprise, the members of my extra credit group didn’t treat me like a leaper after their run-in with Hudson. Nope. They went out of their way to message me, claiming concern about how overprotective my brother was.

Since we were still a good month and a half from the start of the semester, they resorted to dinner and party invites as a way of helping me regain some sort of freedom.

All of which I declined.

Yes, Hudson was overprotective, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. It’s not like I’m some sort of prisoner in his home. Our home.

“Michael, thank you for coming.” I offer him a small wave, annoyance running through me at the thought of my mother inviting people without my consent. Still, it isn’t his fault, so I don’t want to take it out on him.

My guest, oblivious to my inner dialogue, ignores my small wave and envelops me in a bear hug. “Happy birthday, Alyssa. There was no way I’d be missing a party where you were being celebrated.” He throws me a flirty smile, making my mother grin from ear to ear.

“Alyssa, did you know that Michael’s dad is one of the most sought out attorneys in the states? He has a nationwide practice handling some of the largest mergers.”

Michael puffs out his chest as if this were his own accolade. “Yes. I hope to follow in his footsteps some day.” His hand reaches out, the back of his fingers running up my arm in a gentle caress. “Maybe when we’re through with school, you could join me at the firm in New York.”

The clearing of Cassie’s throat is the only warning I get before Hudson descends upon us, his hand reaching for mine, pulling me away from Michael’s reach.

“Lynora. Cassie. Michael. If you’ll excuse us, I have to talk to the birthday girl about a pressing matter.” After a curt nod to everyone, Hudson drags me away.

In all honesty, I’m surprised he hasn’t thrown me over his shoulder and carried me off like a caveman.

“Hudson, slow down. You’re going to make me trip.”

We’re rounding the corner of the garden shed when he picks me up bridal style and carries me inside, shutting the door behind him with his foot. “Don’t worry, Little Red. I’d never let you fall.”

The meaning of his words extends far beyond the few steps it took us to get here. I feel the promise in them as sure as I feel his arms wrapped tightly around me.

“Hudson.” My mouth parts as we both stare into each other’s eyes, molten fire burning through me with every second of his piercing gaze.

I feel his strong arms squeeze before he gently sets me down on the workbench, his head tilting back toward the door, darkness settling across his features.

My hands reach for his face, cupping either side of his jaw and bringing him back to me. “Hudson? What are you doing?”

Despite my wanting nothing more than to be tucked away with him, I know it won’t be long before Mother comes searching. He wasn’t exactly discreet in his dragging me away, and I want answers.

Screw my pride.

I need to know where we stand.